Travel advice on... passports in a hurry

Getting a passport renewed in less than three working days is possible in the Dublin Passport Office with the rapid renewal service. Each day a number of appointments are reserved for emergency passport applications. They are released from 12.30pm online and you will need the details of your travel plans to apply. Generally appointments will be between 9am - noon, and passports will be issued after 3pm. This service is only available for renewal of passports. For children’s renewal both parents/guardians must attend the appointment. The cost for a rapid renewal will be €150, passportappointments.ie

If you are travelling between three and 10 days you can use the appointment service in Dublin and Cork, costing €95. You will be given a date and a tracking number and can check the progress of your application online. Sometimes it will appear your passport is stuck at a stage, then suddenly it will be at the last stage.

The fastest and least expensive option to get a passport is by using An Post Passport Express. It will cost €89.50 and usually takes up to 10 working days for it to be delivered back to you. Normal passport applications cost €80 and can take up to 15 working days or more at busy times.

All passport applications must have a completed form, four photographs, two signed by a witness, usually a garda, stamped and have the form number written on the back, and the correct fee. Forms are available from Garda stations, post offices, libraries, and the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork.

You can ask questions and query applications on (01) 6711633, by email – passportdublin.dfa.ie and passportcork@dfa.ie – or on Twitter @PassportIRL. Afternoons tend to be busiest. The Passport Office in Dublin has moved to Knockmaun House, 42-27 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. Cork Passport Office is at 1a south Mall, Cork, (021) 4944700. dfa.ie/passports-citizenship

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